Welcome to Poem of the Day – I Heard a Fly Buzz by Emily Dickinson.
Emily Dickinson, one of America’s greatest poets, is known for her introspective and often enigmatic poems. Among her many works, “I Heard a Fly Buzz” is a powerful meditation on death, the transition between life and the afterlife, and the uncertainties that accompany these themes. In this article, we will break down the poem’s lines, exploring its meaning and the literary devices Dickinson uses to evoke a sense of contemplation and finality.
I Heard a Fly Buzz Poem
“I heard a Fly buzz – when I died -”
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –
The Eyes beside had wrung them dry,
And Breaths were gathering sure –
For that last Onset, when the King
Be witnessed in the Room –
I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portion of me I could make free –
For I could not stop for Death –
That kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
I Heard a Fly Buzz Explanation
Line-by-Line Explanation
“I heard a Fly buzz – when I died -”
The poem begins with a stark and unsettling statement. Dickinson tells the reader she heard a fly buzz at the moment of her death. The fly, an insignificant creature, symbolizes the mundane or earthly distractions present even at the most profound moments, like death. The fly’s buzz contrasts with the solemnity expected in such a moment, suggesting that death is not always dramatic or grand.
“The Stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air – / Between the Heaves of Storm -”
The stillness in the room represents the calm before death, a silence that is described as almost unnatural. Dickinson compares this stillness to the quiet air before a storm, implying an eerie pause before a major event. This comparison suggests that death is an inevitable, powerful force, much like an impending storm.
“The Eyes beside had wrung them dry, / And Breaths were gathering sure – / For that last Onset, when the King / Be witnessed in the Room -”
Here, Dickinson describes the presence of others at her deathbed. “The Eyes beside” refers to the people who are watching her die. Their eyes are “wrung dry,” implying they are overwhelmed with grief and exhaustion. “Breaths were gathering sure” refers to the anticipation of her final breath, a clear sign that death is imminent. The “King” in this context is a metaphor for death, often symbolized as a sovereign ruler who will inevitably claim all lives.
“I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away / What portion of me I could make free – / For I could not stop for Death – / That kindly stopped for me -”
In these lines, Dickinson reflects on the practicalities of death. She speaks of the “Keepsakes” or possessions she gives away, perhaps symbolizing the things that no longer matter once she faces death. The line “I could not stop for Death – / That kindly stopped for me” is central to the poem’s theme. Dickinson acknowledges that death is not something she can control, but death has come for her when it was ready, in its own time. The idea of death being “kindly” is a contrast to its typical portrayal as something to fear. Dickinson suggests that death is gentle, patient, and inevitable.
“The Carriage held but just Ourselves – / And Immortality.”
The final lines describe a carriage, which Dickinson uses as a metaphor for the journey from life to the afterlife. The “Carriage” holds just the speaker and “Immortality,” signifying that the only companions in this final journey are death and the eternal. This suggests that death leads to immortality, a transition from the finite to the infinite.
Themes and Analysis
Death as Inevitable: One of the key themes of the poem is the inevitability of death. Dickinson portrays death not as something to be feared but as a natural and even “kindly” force. She presents it as an event that arrives on its own terms, regardless of human desires or actions.
The Mundane and the Profound: The fly in the poem acts as a symbol of the mundane, the ordinary aspects of life that continue even in the face of death. Its buzzing reminds us that life, in all its details, continues despite the grand moments like death.
Immortality and the Afterlife: The carriage at the end symbolizes the journey to the afterlife, and the presence of “Immortality” suggests that death is merely a transition to something eternal. Dickinson’s use of the word “Immortality” points to her belief in life after death, a theme that recurs in many of her poems.
Isolation and Reflection: The speaker is alone in her final moments, both physically and emotionally, with only death and immortality as her company. The poem’s contemplative nature emphasizes the personal, solitary experience of dying, yet it also conveys a sense of peace.
Conclusion
Emily Dickinson’s “I Heard a Fly Buzz” is a masterful reflection on death, exploring its inevitability and the strange, often unremarkable details that accompany it. Through the contrast of the fly’s buzz and the stillness of death, Dickinson invites readers to consider both the mundane and the profound aspects of life’s final moment. The poem’s quiet acceptance of death and its emphasis on immortality offer a sense of comfort and transcendence, suggesting that death is not an end, but a passage to something eternal.
